Our Host City – Milwaukee

Known for decades as one of America’s beer-brewing capitals, Milwaukee is likely to conjure up images of brats on the grill, cheese curds, and ice-cold beer. It’s certainly that – and so much more! Milwaukee is the birth-place of some of America’s most thirst-quenching companies, including Miller, Pabst, and Schlitz, as well as motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson. This legacy, along with a reputation as a humble and friendly Midwestern City, has inspired a revitalization of the city today. With its prime spot on Lake Michigan’s shoreline, today’s Milwaukee is eco-friendly with a developed RiverWalk complete with pedestrian pathways, public art and restaurants. Milwaukee’s bike lanes and bus network runs throughout many unique and charming neighborhoods – like the Historic Third Ward with the bustling Milwaukee Public Market and warehouses converted to condos, trendy boutiques, art galleries, and some of the coolest and best restaurants in town. All of this within walking distance or a short taxi or bus ride from Snow Conference hotels!

"The Good Land"...

is what the Native Americans called this place. But the Milwaukee we know today grew from the collective heritage of three separate towns. Juneautown was between Lake Michigan and the east bank of the Milwaukee River, Kilbourntown was on the west bank, and to the south was Walker's Point. They were named for the "founding fathers" of Milwaukee—Solomon Juneau, Byron Kilbourn and George H. Walker.

Juneau and Kilbourn were often at odds, so much so that Kilbourntown produced maps that didn't include their lakefront neighbor and intentionally built city streets out of alignment with those of Juneautown. Because of this, the bridges connecting the towns had to be built at angles—a feature still seen downtown. Despite their differences, the towns came together to form Milwaukee by the mid-1800s.

When the German immigrants began to arrive in the 1840s, they brought with them their passion for the art of beer brewing. And over the next 100 years this heritage made Milwaukee the world’s leading beer producer. While it's no longer the city's major industry, its legacy is everywhere. Reminders of the old beer barons can be seen at the Pabst Mansion, Blatz Building, and Miller Brewery, where over eight million barrels are still produced annually.

A wave of Polish immigrants arrived soon after the Germans, and established Milwaukee's south side. Bringing their faith with them, they built many of the churches and steeples that shape the city's skyline. As Milwaukee grew into a manufacturing center other immigrant groups appeared, each giving rise to new neighborhoods. It's this constant introduction and development of new communities that we celebrate in our annual summer festivals.
Apart from the angled bridges, century-old breweries and Polish steeples you'll find countless buildings made of Cream City brick. The pale yellow-colored bricks were made from clay found in the city's Menomonee River Valley and their widespread use throughout the late 1800s inspired Milwaukee's "Cream City" moniker. The city's architectural heritage is also seen in the Historic Third Ward. The area was once a hearty Italian community and warehouse district; today it's known for its condos, restaurants and nightlife, steeped in history and housed in the original architecture.

As Milwaukee continues to thrive on the shores of Lake Michigan, its industrial past has given rise to an economy as varied as its residents. The neighborhoods of Milwaukee are as independent and diverse as ever, yet the city continues to come together and celebrate the culture it's built upon.